Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2018 Dec;22(4):204-207. 10.4235/agmr.18.0034.

Mycobacterium abscessus Skin Infection Associated with Shaving Activity in a 75-year-old Man

• Choi H
• Kim YI
• Na CH
• Kim MS
• Shin BS

• KMID: 2439118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.18.0034

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus comprises rapidly growing mycobacteria, and the clinical manifestations of M. abscessus skin infection include papule, nodule, ulcer, scar and mixed form. The cutaneous infections have been reported due to minor trauma, cosmetic therapy, acupuncture and disseminated infection. A 75-year-old man presented with pruritic diffuse various sized erythematous papuloplaques and pustules on the neck and chest for 2 months. The cutaneous lesions were spread around the wound of the shaving on the neck. The histopathologic findings were consistent with abscess showing infiltrations of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the dermis and negative findings were observed on immunohistochemical stain including acid-fast bacilli stain. One month later, mycobacterial culture result showed positive findings, and the pathogen was identified by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with hybridization. The patient was treated with combination of clarithromycin and ethambutol for 5 months and there is no evidence of recurrence after 6 months of follow-up. Herein, we report a case of M. abscessus cutaneous infection through minor trauma caused by shaving in the elderly.

Keyword

Mycobacterium abscessus; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Acupuncture Therapy
Aged*
Cicatrix
Clarithromycin
Dermis
Ethambutol
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lymphocytes
Mycobacterium*
Neck
Neutrophils
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Recurrence
Skin*
Thorax
Ulcer
Wounds and Injuries
Clarithromycin
Ethambutol